Vikings' Christian Ponder making progress with rib injury

By Josh Katzowitz | NFL Writer

September 26, 2013 1:58 PM ET

Christian Ponder's ability to start this weekend will be determined Friday. (USATSI)

With speculation heating up that the Vikings potentially could be interested in making a play for just-benched Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman, it's still unclear if their current starting quarterback can play this Sunday.

Christian Ponder, who's been bothered by a rib injury, practiced Thursday in London as his team prepares to play the Steelers at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, and afterward, he said he was feeling better. Especially since he was limited in practice Wednesday because of soreness.

"I definitely did a lot more [Thursday] than we expected to," Ponder said. "We've been getting a lot of treatment and Sugs is coming up with some good treatment. Hopefully it's healing."

Coach Leslie Frazier is expected to make a decision on the starter after Friday's practice, and if Ponder can't go, it appears as though the job will go to Matt Cassel.

Ponder is practicing this week with a pad around his waist, but he's also concerned what will happen when he gets hit there in a game. Asked if the Vikings could simulate that experience in practice, Ponder joked, “Probably have Jared [Allen] get out there and hit me a little bit.”